Feeling Faint......What Is
Syncope?

Syncope, is defined in the MedicineNet.com Medical Dictionary, www.MedTerms.com as a partial or complete loss of
consciousness with interruption of awareness of oneself and ones
surroundings. When the loss of consciousness is temporary and there
is spontaneous recovery, it is referred to as syncope or, in
nonmedical quarters, fainting. Syncope accounts for one in every 30
visits to an emergency room. It is pronounced sin-ko-pea.

Syncope is due to a temporary reduction in blood flow and
therefore a shortage of oxygen to the brain. This leads to
lightheadedness or a "black out" episode, a loss of consciousness.
Temporary impairment of the blood supply to the brain can be caused
by heart conditions and by conditions that do not directly involve
the heart.

Fainting is not unusual in children and is
referred to as neurally mediated syncope (NMI). This is a benign
(harmless) form of fainting that is common in children and
teenagers. However, any child (or adult for that matter) who
experiences fainting "for no good reason" should be
evaluated by their physician, according to the AHA.